TOTAL LANDCARE, MALAWI INTEGRATED CHILD LABOUR ELIMINATION PROJECT (ICLEP) FOOD SECURITY AND NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Transcription

1 TOTAL LANDCARE, MALAWI INTEGRATED CHILD LABOUR ELIMINATION PROJECT (ICLEP) FOOD SECURITY AND NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ANNUAL REPORT FOR JULY 24 TO JUNE 25 Prepared by W Trent Bunderson, Zwide D. Jere and Haig L.A. Sawasawa July 25

2 Table of Contents 1. INTRODUCTION ACHIEVEMENTS Extension and Training Village and Beneficiary Participation Distribution of Extension and Training Materials Farmer Training SITE SUPERVISION AND FIELD TRIPS FIELD RESULTS Small-scale Irrigation Tree Seedlings Raised Tree Out-planting and Management Soil and Water Conservation Soil Fertility Improvement Improved stoves Bamboo Planting Ecological Sanitation Dam Construction CONCLUSION... 7 ANNEX 1: ICLEP TARGETS WITH CUMULATIVE RESULTS TO JUNE ANNEX 2: GRAPHIC REPRESENTATION OF CUMULATIVE RESULTS JULY 22 JUNE ICLEP Food Security & Natural Resource management: Annual Report No. 3 July 4 June 5 ii

3 1. INTRODUCTION The Integrated Child Labour Elimination Project (ICLEP) has completed its third year. It is being implemented by Together Ensuring Children s Security (TECS), Creative Centre for Community Mobilization (CRECCOM), Total LandCare Malawi (TLC) and Nkhoma/Livingstonia Synod under a Memorandum of Agreement with financial assistance from Elimination of Child Labour in Tobacco (ECLT). The goal of the project is to eliminate child labour in farm communities by addressing its underlying causes. CRECCOM is implementing the education component. TLC is implementing the food security and agroforestry component; and Nkhoma/Livingstonia Synod is implementing the water and sanitation component. Project coverage and results have been up-scaled with the extension of the activities to the second site at Dwangwa, Kasungu District where TLC placed one field technician at the end of the 1 st quarter of TLC is responsible for the food security and natural resource management component of the project. The primary objective of the component is to improve household food security, income levels and management of natural resources leading to sustainable increases in farm productivity and a better environment for the child through the following interventions: Small-scale irrigation of vegetables and legumes to improve food security, nutrition and incomes. Tree planting around homesteads and farms for fuel-wood, poles and other uses. Trees are planted in a variety of forms. These include woodlots, boundaries of homesteads and farms, and along stream-banks and roadsides. Trees planted involve a range of indigenous and exotic species, including fruit trees. Soil and water conservation through a range of practices including contour ridging, vetiver hedgerows and rehabilitation of gullies. Soil fertility enrichment with soil improving trees that can be planted with crops such as Faidherbia albida and Tephrosia vogelii. This report presents results of the 24/5 work-plan. 2. ACHIEVEMENTS This section presents achievements of the food security and natural resource management component of ICLEP for period July 24 June 25. Good progress has been made on most of the interventions, with results on beneficiary participation; small-scale irrigation and tree planting far exceeding the 4-year project targets (see Annexes 1 and 2). 2.1 Extension and Training Village and Beneficiary Participation 22 villages participated in the program during the year, involving 9,94 farmers. The increased number of villages and participating farmers is more than the target due to the following factors: Interest by the community and strong leadership. Dedicated field staff based at the site who have won the confidence of the beneficiaries. Timely and unlimited support from TLC management. ICLEP Food Security & Natural Resource management: Annual Report No. 3 July 4 June 5 1

4 The interventions have been perceived as addressing the immediate needs of the communities which have given them a sense of ownership. TLC s flexibility to expand and respond to the demands by communities beyond the geographical boundary of the project Distribution of Extension and Training Materials Table 1 shows the number of inputs and materials distributed to participating villages during the year. These included tree nursery inputs, posters and leaflets on agro-forestry and soil conservation. Additionally, each irrigation club member received a set of 7 leaflets on treadle pump irrigation, and a set of tools comprising a backpack sprayer, shovels and pick axes for each new irrigation club Farmer Training Table 2 presents the number of farmers trained by subject matter during the year. This included direct training by TLC technicians to targeted households, as well as hands-on farmer to farmer training on nursery management, tree out-planting and management, smallscale irrigation, contour ridging, improved wood stoves and ecological sanitation. Table 1. Extension and Other Materials Distributed 24-5 Extension Materials Type of Material Ngala Dwangwa Total 3 sets of nursery construction/management posters sets of tree outplanting & management posters sets of soil conservation posters 3 sets of soil fertility improvement posters 1 set of leaflet on contour ridging with line level 1 set of leaflet on vetiver grass hedgerow planting 1 set of leaflet on systematic interplanting of Msangu 7 sets of leaflet on treadle pump irrigation 8 8 Other Materials Treadle pumps with accessories Irrigation input packs Backpack sprayer Line levels Polytubes 57, 34, 874, Seed - all species (kg) Nail cutters (for seed treatment) Watering cans Hoes Shovels Pangas String (rolls) ICLEP Food Security & Natural Resource management: Annual Report No. 3 July 4 June 5 2

5 2.2 Site Supervision and Field Trips Regular supervisory trips were made by TLC management staff to the project sites during the year to provide technical support to field technicians and to evaluate progress. Some of these visits were made in the company of officials from ECLT, TECS Board and Philip Morris. Table 2. Table 3: Number of Farmers Trained in 24-5 Subject Matter Male Female Total Leadership & Management Annual program review and planning ,6 Community-based action plan ,387 Coordination of program activities Book keeping Community-based monitoring and evaluation Cross-Cutting Child labour elimination sensitization 2,367 1,327 3,694 Agroforestry/Tree Planting Tree nursery site selection and fence construction 2,736 1,333 4,69 Pot filling, seed treatment & sowing 4,286 3,315 7,61 Weeding, thining, transplanting ,763 Root pruning ,763 Pitting for timely and proper tree outplanting 2, ,77 Tree outplanting & management 2,212 2,659 4,871 Bamboo propagation and management Tephrosia undersowing & management Fruit tree planting & management Soil & Water Conservation Contour ridging Vetiver grass nursery establishment & management Contour grass hedgerow planting & management Gully control Small-Scale Irrigation Community sensitization & program review 2,21 1,28 3,229 Loan repayment and management of revolving funds ,44 Dimba site selection Treadle pump assembly, use & maintenance Stream diversion/canal siting and construction Plot layout for irrigation Vegetable nursery management Crop husbandry practices Compost making and use Integrated pest management Live fencing Improved Stoves Community sensitization 913 1,39 2,222 Kitchen mud stoves ,255 Ceramic stoves Kitchen management ,239 Eco-sanitation Community sensitization ,132 Sanplat construction Digging pit latrine Super structure construction ICLEP Food Security & Natural Resource management: Annual Report No. 3 July 4 June 5 3

6 2.3 Field Results Table 3 shows field results for A brief description of each intervention is given below. These results can be checked against project targets and cumulative results shown in Annex 1. Pictorial illustrations of these results are given in Annex Small-scale Irrigation A total of 226 households each received a treadle pump and input pack bringing the total number of farmers participating in treadle pump irrigation to 499 in both project sites. More pumps were issued with support from the French Government through its embassy, with 4 pumps bought by farmers using revolving funds. In addition, MK2,5, was borrowed from the same funds by old farmers totaling 273 to buy inputs for the 24-5 irrigation season. During the year, TLC supported communities to establish two gravity-fed irrigation schemes through stream diversion at Khokholi and Jimu villages near Ngala where 25 farmers were involved covering an area of 3 hectares. Several crops were grown in the 24-5 irrigation season which included vegetables, green maize, beans and tomatoes. The area covered with these crops under both irrigation systems was approximately 59 hectares, bringing the total area irrigated since July 22 to 85 hectares. Generally, households have experienced a great improvement in their food, nutrition and income security. Incomes per participating households averaged MK15,, with one farmer in the Dwangwa site earning more than MK6,. Regarding loan recovery, MK3,356,925 was repaid from a total loan of MK4,917,2, which represents 68% recovery. The total loan value includes loans for the 226 new farmers and those provided through the revolving funds to buy the 4 pumps and inputs for 273 old farmers. It is expected that all farmers will fully repay their loans within the next 2-3 months from the 25 winter season harvest and tobacco proceeds Tree Seedlings Raised A total of 197 nurseries were established in 24-5 raising 789,58 seedlings. Both number of nurseries established and number of seedlings raised were less than the target due to an acute shortage of water in the Dwangwa site where 47 nurseries were dropped after wells had dried up soon after pot filling. Although communities were advised on proper nursery siting, most of them still opted to locate these close to their homesteads to avoid theft even though water availability was not reliable Tree Out-planting and Management A total of 789,58 trees were planted in 24/5, representing 82% of the target and 1% of the number of seedlings raised. This brings the cumulative number of trees planted since July 22 to 1,319,299, which is 133% of the 4-year project target. ICLEP Food Security & Natural Resource management: Annual Report No. 3 July 4 June 5 4

7 Table 3. Field Results for 24/ Targets 24-5 Results % Achievement OVERALL PROGRAM No. of Villages/Schools/Estates % No. Villagers Participating 7,46 9,94 133% % Female Participating % Small-Scale Irrigation Villages (#) % Clubs (#) % Households (#) % Treadle Pumps (#) % No. HH Participating in Stream diversion % Length of canal constructed (km) % Area Irrigated (#) % Loan Value (MK) 4,597, 4,917,2 17% 22-4 HH (273) 1,92, 2,5, 229% 24-5 HH 3,55, 2,417,2 69% Loan Recoveries 4,597, 3,356, HH (273) 1,92, 1,845, HH 3,55, 1,511,725 Tree Nurseries # of Nurseries % # of Tree Seedlings Raised 965,6 789,58 82% Agroforestry/Tree Planting Trees Planted all Types (# total trees planted) 965,6 789,58 82% Natural Tree Regeneration (ha) % Fruit Trees Planted (# trees) % Annual Undersowing with Tephrosia (ha) % Improved Fallow with Tephrosia (ha) 5.1 2% Bamboo Planting (# stations) 2, 592 3% Improved Wood Stoves # Households Involved % # Wood Stoves Constructed & in Use % Soil & Water Conservation Contour Ridging (ha) % Gully Control (#) % Vetiver Grass Nurseries (No.) % Vetiver Grass Nurseries (ha) % Vetiver Grass Hedgerows (ha) % Ecological Sanitation No. Villages Participating % No. HH Participating % No. Masons Involved in Construction/Promotion 4 2 5% No. Latrines in Use % No. Fruit Trees Planted 45 % Note: Shaded boxes indicate non-applicability ICLEP Food Security & Natural Resource management: Annual Report No. 3 July 4 June 5 5

8 2.3.4 Soil and Water Conservation Some progress has been made on soil and water conservation activities although more needs to be done. Generally, results have been affected by the following factors: Land tenure system especially where it involves renting out tends to de-motivate tenants from participation in soil and water conservation practices. Need for more effort to make people understand the importance of the relationship between land conservation and land productivity. More time and labour are needed to carry out soil conservation activities. However, this has been constrained by the fact that farmers have been engaged in other development activities being promoted by partners, especially those that coincide with soil conservation activities Soil Fertility Improvement A total of 2.1 hectares were planted with Tephrosia vogelii. The achievement is far below the target of 51 hectares and the actual area of 2 hectares planted due to poor rains and accidental weeding by ganyu labourers. A few farmers who had undersown Tephrosia vogelii, left it under fallow for a year and then grew maize have realized a bumper harvest as demonstrated by Mr. Chatsalira of Zozo village in the Ngala site. As such, most of the farmers are now showing their intentions to adopt the practice in the coming season Improved stoves 346 households against a target of 12 were using kitchen mud stoves by the end of June 25. Kitchen mud stoves are on high demand in the target villages, especially among women. As previously reported, these stoves have a fuel saving efficiency of up to 7%, a scenario that is important for reducing child labour as the technology increases both time and labour use efficiency Bamboo Planting 592 bamboo rhizomes were planted against a target of 2,. TLC has been using rhizomes for propagation of bamboo which is collected from Salima. This approach has proved both cumbersome and expensive as only 4 rhizomes can be transported on a 7-ton truck per trip. In this regard, TLC will evaluate the use of seed for propagating bamboo. If successful, the number of bamboos planted will increase tremendously as 1 kg of seed with husk would provide over 4,5 seedlings or 6, when seeds are sown without husks Ecological Sanitation A total of 12 eco-sanitation latrines in 8 villages were in use by the end of June 25. The aim of the technology is to improve sanitation in the target villages, apart from other benefits of providing decomposed faecal matter as manure and reducing deforestation Dam Construction TLC was approached by Group Village Head Mnduka to assist in the construction of a dam at Nkhunthwa village in the Dwangwa site. A total of 48 households are involved in the construction, covering three villages. TLC s support included technical design of the dam and spillway, regular supervision and provision of tools such as hoes and wheel barrows, while farmers contributed labour. Once completed, the dam will provide water for household use, irrigation, tree and tobacco nurseries. ICLEP Food Security & Natural Resource management: Annual Report No. 3 July 4 June 5 6

9 3. CONCLUSION Tremendous achievements have made in meeting the project results as shown in Table 4 and Annexes 1 and 2. The greatest achievement has been in demonstrating how small-scale irrigation can positively impact the livelihoods of households in the shortest period possible. This has also shown that improvements in household food, nutrition and income security combined with labour saving technologies can greatly contribute towards improving the condition of the child leading to better education and health. Results of case studies done by the TECS Secretariat and its partners give interesting testimonies by farmers on how the project has improved their status and changed their perception about child labour. These testimonies have been well documented by the TECS Secretariat and need not be repeated here. ICLEP Food Security & Natural Resource management: Annual Report No. 3 July 4 June 5 7

10 Annex 1: ICLEP Targets with Cumulative Results to June Targets July 2 - June 4 Results July 4 - June 5 Results Cumul Results July 2 - June 5 Cumul Results as % of Project Targets OVERALL PROGRAM No. of Villages/Schools/Estates % No. Villagers Participating 52 2,872 9,94 9,94 19% % Female Participating Small-Scale Irrigation Villages (#) % Clubs (#) % Households (#) % Treadle Pumps (#) % No. HH Participating in Stream diversion Length of canal constructed (km) 1.87 Area Irrigated (ha) % Loan Value (MK) 4,47,6 2,518,8 4,917,2 4,917,2 121% 22-4 HH 2,5, 2,5, 24-5 HH 2,417,2 2,417,2 Loan Recoveries 4,47,6 3,356,925 3,356,925 83% 22-4 HH 1,845,2 1,845, HH 1,511,725 1,511,725 Tree Nurseries # of Nurseries % # of Tree Seedlings Raised 1,61, 572, ,58 1,362,479 85% Agroforestry/Tree Planting Trees Planted all Types (# ) 99, 529, ,58 1,319, % Natural Tree Regeneration (ha) Fruit Trees Planted (# trees) 4,22 2 4,222 Annual Undersowing with Tephrosia (ha) % Improved Fallow with Tephrosia (ha) Bamboo Planting (# stations) Improved Wood Stoves # Households Involved # Wood Stoves Constructed & in Use Soil & Water Conservation Contour Ridging (ha) % Gully Control (#) % Vetiver Grass Nurseries (No.) % Vetiver Grass Nurseries (ha) % Vetiver Grass Hedgerows (ha) % Ecological Sanitation No. Villages Participating 8 8 No. HH Participating No. Masons Involved in Construction/Promotion 2 2 No. Latrines in Use No. Fruit Trees Planted ICLEP Food Security & Natural Resource management: Annual Report No. 3 July 4 June 5 8

11 No. of Households & Pumps No. Villages & Ha Irrigated Numbers Ha Established Ha or # No. Fruit Trees & Bamboo Clumps No. of Trees Planted (All Types) No. Villages No. Households No. of Nurseries No. of Tree Seedlings Annex 2: Graphic Representation of Cumulative Results July 22 June Number of Participating Villages and Households 12, 35 Cumulative Number of Nurseries and Tree Seedlings Raised 1,6, , 8, 6, 4, 2, ,4, 1,2, 1,, 8, 6, 4, 2, 22/3 23/4 24/5 22/3 23/4 24/5 No. of Villages No. of Households # of Nurseries # of Tree Seedlings Raised Cumulative Results on Soil & Water Conservation Cumulative Planting of Trees and Bamboo ,5 1,4, , 3,5 3, 1,2, 1,, ,5 2, 1,5 1, 5 8, 6, 4, 2,. 22/3 23/4 24/5 22/3 23/4 24/5 Contour Ridging (ha) Vetiver Hedges (ha) Gully Control (#) Tephrosia planting (ha) Vetiver Nurseries (ha) # Fruit Trees # Bamboo Clumps # Trees (All Types) Cumulative Results on Small-Scale Irrigation Eco-Sanitation /3 23/4 24/ /5 Households (#) Treadle Pumps (#) Villages (#) Area Irrigated (Ha) # Villages # Households # Households using Latrine Note: Columns relate to the Y axis on the left, line graphs to the right ICLEP Food Security & Natural Resource management: Annual Report No. 3 July 4 June 5 9